Day 16 of DB's Bourbon Trail 2024 Advent Calendar - Firefly Distillery Live Series Single Barrel

Cheers and welcome to our 5th Annual Advent Calendar!

This month, we’re embarking on a high-end bourbon journey, reviewing 25 bourbons from award-winning distilleries across the United States. From December 1st to December 25th, we’ll explore everything from small batches to single barrels, all packed with flavor. Join us in toasting to another incredible year as we share some of our favorite bottles with you!

Our reviews are done using a Glencairn glass and neat, but remember, it’s your bourbon! Enjoy it however you like—over ice, with water, or in a cocktail. The key is to enjoy it your way and not let others influence your experience.

Enough of me rambling. Now, let’s dive into what brought us here!

Day 16 of DB’s Bourbon Trail 2024 Advent Calendar

FIREFLY DISTILLERY LIVE SERIES SINGLE BARREL - Selected by Gibby's Bottle Shop Store Pick

Proof:

118 Proof (59%)

Distillery:

Bottled By Firefly Distillery for Tom and Huck Distillers (North Charleston, SC)

Distilled in Kentucky (👀), Indiana, and South Carolina

Message on the bottle:

LIVE: SAVOR THE EXPERIENCE

Music runs deep here with us. From our owners growing up playing live shows, to brining in the latest up and coming artists, we don't miss a beat. As a toast to North Charleston's vibrant musical culture, we crafted this single barrel whiskey in honor of its unshakable, singular influence. Just like the most legendary live performances, every bottle is its own unique experience. Made to be celebrated, savored and enjoyed with good company.

Price Point:

• At DB’s Bourbon Trail, we use BoozApp (not sponsored) to ensure fair pricing on our bourbon purchases. Nothing is worse than overpaying due to supply and demand games. **This bottle is new and local to Charleston, SC - This is not located on the app***

  • Average MSRP:

    • $79.99

  • DB’s Bourbon Trail Instant Buy Price:

    • <$79.99

Review:

For some of you, this may be the first time you are seeing this bottle. The one thing I can promise, this will probably not be your last! This is the first Single Barrel expression that was released to the public and I was super lucky to be able to secure a bottle from Gibby's to be able to share with you all!

Before we dive into the tasting notes, let's learn a little more about the bottle and Firefly Distillery. This has been a distillery I have been able to follow closely ever since I turned 21. My family and I have visited this distillery for years from their time in Wadmalaw Island, to now at their new facility in North Charleston. If you have never been - I highly recommend visiting anytime you are visiting Charleston, SC!

Even with my prior knowledge about Firefly - I didnt know much about this bottle or Tom & Huck Distillers. Off to their website we go!

From the makers of Firefly Distillery, Tom & Huck Distillers is a collection of distilled and aged spirits, distinguished by the coastal location and maritime climate of the Lowcountry.

Built on the wisdom, perseverance, and expertise of three generations of distillers, makers, and blenders, these unique spirits each capture a smooth, flavorful, and mature taste, celebrating patience, creativity, and the adventure of a lifetime.

The Tom & Huck Distillers collection of spirits is refined in a way that only 20 years of hard work, authenticity, and consistent attention to detail can achieve.

Now that we know a little about Tom & Huck Distillers - let's check out a little more about the LIVE bottle!

Tom & Huck Distillers releases a Limited Edition, LIVE Barrel Proof Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey, twice a year; in honor of Father’s Day in June and for co-founder’s Jim Irvin’s birthday in December. Each bottle is distilled and aged by Charleston’s unique maritime climate, right here in the barrel house of Tom & Huck Distillers.

Limited Edition: The First Live Barrel Proof Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey from the Tom & Huck Distillers collection

Hand-selected by our Master Distiller, Live Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey is bottled directly from the barrel at cask strength; uncut and unfiltered at more than 109.7 proof. It reflects the way whiskey was produced in the days before Prohibition. Drawn from a single barrel aged in our rickhouse where maritime temperatures reach 120 degrees in the summer.

As they continued to expand on these expressions, I have been fortunate enough to get my hands on a couple different ones. They are absolutely delicious and can't wait to dive into this one with you!

Nose: 

The aroma is an inviting combination of dried fruit and cherry. This is complemented by your normal bourbon notes of caramel and a smooth hint of vanilla, making for an enticing and well-rounded nose.

Palate:

On the palate, a rush of vanilla and caramel dominate initially, providing a creamy and smooth mouthfeel. The cherry notes enhance the sweetness, offering a delightful contrast to the warmth of the cinnamon spice that begins to show up. There is an orange peel notes that adds a subtle layer that keeps adding layers to this pour!

Finish:

The finish is long and satisfying. This is where the cinnamon spice starts strong and fades gently, leaving a warm, toasty aftertaste.

Final Thoughts:

As I added in the distillery info - this bourbon is Sazerac Distillate. With some of the Firefly Distillery Bourbon expressions being a Buffalo Trace mashbill finished in a Charleston, SC - some have called this a baby Stagg Jr…. 👀. Now I cannot confirm that for a fact from the label and website - but there is speculation and I’m here for it!

As for the bourbon, it is a harmonious blend of sweet and spicy warmth. The combination of vanilla, caramel, cherry, cinnamon, and orange peel creates a rich and memorable pour. I highly recommended trying this bottle!

Cheers y’all! 🥃

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